Object number
51/466
Description
This bonnet was probably worn by a countrywoman as it does not feature in any books on nineteenth century books on fashion. It is made of two rectangular pieces of white linen, embroidered with rows of flowers, clover leaves and symmetrical patterns, and lined with plain linen. There is no fastening attached to it so it was probably tied with a ribbon or scarf. The donor bought the bonnet, along with a smock, at a sale in Wrington, Somerset.
Physical description
1 bonnet: good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This bonnet was bought by Mr. Patterson together with a smock (51/465) at a smallholding sale at Wrington (Somerset). // It is of very simple construction, being made of two rectangular pieces of white linen, 1 foot 9.25 inches, joined along their broader side, so that it measures 1 foot 6.5 inches by 1 foot in all. The bonnet is embroidered in a white linen strand with rows of flowers, clover leaves and symetrical [sic] patterns. There are 3 pleats on either side of the bonnet, one is .6 inches from the edge and two are 2.8 and 3.5 inches respectively from the edge. The two halves of the bonnet are both lined with plain linen. // There is no indication that the bonnet ever had any fastening attached to it. It may have been tied with a ribbon or scarf. The bonnet was probably worn by a country woman as there is no record in books on fashion of a bonnet of this type, although bonnets were much simpler in the mid-nineteenth century than they were at either end of it. It seems likely that it was an outdoor bonnet as the material is quite heavy but it could not have been intended as a protection against the sun as the back of the head is not covered by it.'
Production date
1825-01-01 - 1874-12-31
Production period
Mid-nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Technique
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\Documents\Scans\51_466_doc_01.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\Documents\Scans\51_466_doc_02.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\Documents\Scans\51_465_to_51_466_doc_01.tif - High resolution image
